Mass on a Spring
The Mass on a Spring Interactive provides the user with a richly-interactive environment for investigating the periodic motion of a mass on a spring. There are two springs having diferent spring constants and there are five different masses (1-kg, 2-kg, 3-kg, 4-kg, and an unknown mass) that can be hung from the spring. The stiffness of each spring and the amount of damping can be controlled by a slider. Energy bar charts display the various forms of energy as the mass vibrates up and down. Once the Start button is pressed, a plot of the mass's position and velocity as a function of time is plotted. Values of time, height, and velocity are displayed in separate fields. The simulation can be rewound by dragging a slider across the plot backwards in time. Values of time, height, and velocity are updated as the slider is dragged.
Users are encouraged to open the Interactive and explore. The Physics Classroom has prepared two student activities for use with this Interactive:
Our Mass on a Spring simulation is now available with a Concept Checker. Do the simulation. Then follow it up with the
Concept Checker.
Learners and Instructors may also be interested in viewing the accompanying
Notes page. Technical information, teaching suggestions, and related resources that complement this Interactive are provided on the Notes page. View
Notes.